(12> Ulllted States Patent
`Kelly
`
`US006202871B1
`(10) Patent N0.:
`US 6,202,871 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Mar. 20, 2001
`
`(54) VENTED BEVERAGE CLOSURE
`
`6/1997 Cochran et al. .
`5,639,815
`5,833,088 * 11/1998 Kladders et al. .................. .. 215/248
`
`Inventor: Ronald I4I Kelly, Chester,
`
`B1 4,427,126
`
`*
`
`
`
`Kobayashi et 8.1. ................ .. 12/1984 Ostrowsky .
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO 99/26855
`
`6/1999 (WO) .
`
`(73) Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies
`Corporation, Alsip, IL (US)
`
`*
`
`Notice:
`
`Sub'ect to an disclaimer, the term of this
`J
`y
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U-S-C- 154(k)) by 0 days-
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/384,825
`(22) Filed:
`Aug. 27, 1999
`
`*
`
`.
`
`.
`
`cued by exammer
`Primary Examiner—Stephen K. Cronin
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or F irm—Woodcock Washburn KurtZ
`MackieWicZ & Norris LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ................................................... .. B651) 51/16
`(52) US. Cl. ........................................... .. 215/307; 215/350
`(58) Field of Search ................................... .. 215/260, 270,
`215/271, 307, 313, 341, 349, 350; 220/203.05,
`203.06
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`US‘ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1,694,851 * 12/1928 Glass .................................. .. 215/260
`2,980,276 * 4/1961 Robineau ........................... .. 215/260
`4,382,521
`5/1983 OstreWsky -
`4,392,579 * 7/1983 Uhhg et a1. ........................ .. 215/253
`4,427,126
`1/1984 ostrowsky '
`4,799,598 * 1/1989 McFadyen ......................... .. 215/260
`4,813,561
`3/1989 Ochs .
`5,021,515
`6/1991 Cochran et al. .
`5,062,538 * 11/1991 Ochs .................................. .. 215/260
`
`Acontainer assembly includes a Container and a closure that
`has plural vents formed proximate its top member, prefer
`ably at a transition between the top member and the skirt.
`The closure includes a feature that spaces apart an edge of
`a liner, outside of Which the vents are formed, and provides
`tamper protection. The closure and the container neck form
`a top and corner seal therebetWeen While the closure is in a
`'fully closed position, and provide a 'gap When the closure is
`in a vented position. P gases Within the container escape
`through the gap and the vents When the closure is unthreaded
`from the fully closed to the vented position. The vents may
`be con?gured such that the vent outlet is oriented substan
`tiany Vertically to Vertically direct the Outbound gases to
`prevent closure bloW-off and to avoid impinging against a
`user,s hand
`'
`
`15 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1011
`Page 1 of 9
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 20, 2001
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`Sheet 1 014
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`US 6,202,871 B1
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1011
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1011
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 20, 2001
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`Sheet 2 014
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1011
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 20, 2001
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`Sheet 3 014
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`US 6,202,871 B1
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1011
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1011
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 20, 2001
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`Sheet 4 of4
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`US 6,202,871 B1
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1011
`Page 5 of 9
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`US 6,202,871 B1
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`1
`VENTED BEVERAGE CLOSURE
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`This invention relates to containers, more particularly to
`containers for beverages and other pressurized products, and
`even more particularly to vented containers for beverages
`and other pressuriZed products.
`Containers With removable closures are often employed
`for beverages and similar food items. Often containers hold
`products that are carbonated or otherWise pressuriZed With a
`gas For example, carbonated soda or sparkling Water
`includes dissolved carbon dioxide and is bottle at greater
`than atmospheric pressure. The total pressure Within the
`container is subject to sharply increasing pressure upon an
`increase in product temperature and upon agitation.
`A typical container assembly may include a container, a
`closure, and (optionally) a liner. The container often has a
`threaded neck and a top opening. The closure often is
`substantially cylindrical and includes internal threads that
`cooperate With the threads on the neck. The liner is disposed
`inside of the closure above the threads. An interior of the
`closure and a top portion of the neck urge against the liner
`to seal the container opening While the closure is in a fully
`thread position. The container is often formed of a glass or
`bloW-molded plastic, the closure of an injected molded or a
`compression molded thermoplastic, and the liner of EVA.
`Conventional threaded closures employed With carbon
`ated beverages often ineffectively release the internal pres
`sure of the container during opening. For example, upon an
`initial tWist of a conventional closure, the closure and liner
`move relative to the container body in a screW-like manner.
`In response to the tWisting, the sealing surfaces separate
`such that the high pressure gases pass through the neck and
`through the spaced-apart sealing surfaces. The gasses turn
`direction from substantially upWard to substantially doWn
`Ward proximate the inner face of the closure to pass through
`the threads.
`HoWever, because the threads typically present a high
`pressure drop, the gas pressure only sloWly dissipates.
`Because the closure is partially unscreWed from the con
`tainer before the pressure dissipates, the pressure urging
`upWard against the closure top and outWard against the
`closure skirt sideWalls may force the closure off the con
`tainer neck. This phenomenon, Which is termed “tail end
`bloW off,” may propel the closure from the container and
`cause injury to persons in the path of the closure projectile.
`Tail end bloW off may occur under high pressure conditions
`that may be caused by agitation or high temperature of the
`product common in the usual course of storage and use of
`the container.
`US. Pat. No. 4,427,126, entitled “Vented Closure,” Which
`is incorporated herein in its entirety, includes vertical
`grooves formed on the inside surface of the closure that
`interrupt the threads to promote release of the gas doWnWard
`through the threads. HoWever, the disclosed closure has
`several draWbacks. The doWnWard grooves may provide
`insuf?cient venting, as evident from its teaching of an
`extended closure that requires a user to make tWo turning
`motions to disengage the closure from the container. The
`extended closure increases the cost of the closure and
`inconveniences the user. Further, if a user grips the closure
`and container neck With his palm, the gases and entrained
`liquid droplets ?oWing through the grooves may impinge
`upon and Wet the user’s hand.
`If is generally difficult simultaneously to provide venting
`and to maintain tamper resistant measures, including pro
`
`2
`viding indication of an attempt to tamper With the container
`and its contents.
`It is a goal of the present invention to provide a container
`closure that effectively releases the internal pressure of the
`container during opening While maintaining tamper
`resistance.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`10
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`A closure, Which is part of a container assembly for
`holding pressuriZed beverages, is provided. The container
`assembly comprises a container having a neck including a
`?rst thread formed thereon. The closure has a top member
`and a circular skirt doWnWardly depending therefrom. The
`skirt has a second thread formed thereon that is in coopera
`tion With the ?rst thread to enable the closure to move
`betWeen a fully closed position and a vented position
`relative to the container. The closure and the container neck
`form a seal therebetWeen While the closure is in the fully
`closed position. The top member has vents or vent holes
`formed therein that vents pressuriZed gases from the con
`tainer’s internal chamber during the process of opening the
`container assembly from the fully closed position to the
`vented position, and While the container assembly is in the
`vented position. The vent holes may be formed proximate an
`outer edge of the top member proximate a junction area
`betWeen the top member and the skirt, and preferably at the
`outer perimeter of the top member and/or the uppermost
`portion of the skirt.
`The container assembly may further comprise a liner
`disposed on the interior surface of the top member con?g
`ured such that the vent holes are formed outside a perimeter
`of the liner. The seal betWeen the container and the closure
`preferably is formed by an underside or interior surface of
`the top member and an upper rim of the container neck
`urging against opposing sides of the liner, Which is termed
`a top seal.
`The closure includes a corner seal including a ridge peak
`that de?nes a ridge surface and an overhanging surface. The
`ridge surface and overhanging surface de?ne a ridge portion
`of the closure. The ridge portion projects beloW the rim such
`that the loWer boundary of the ridge portion is disposed
`loWer than the uppermost rim surface to prevent exposing an
`edge or end portion of the liner through the vent holes. In
`embodiments that lack the liner, the ridge portion similarly
`projects beloW the rim to prevent straight line access to an
`interface area betWeen the closure and the rim via the vent
`holes. The loWermost portion of the vent holes is high
`enough on the sideWall to prevent angled access to the liner
`edge. Preventing straight line access to the side or edge of
`the liner inhibits piercing of the liner and provides evidence
`of an attempt to penetrate the seal, thereby inhibiting tam
`pering.
`The vent holes may be bounded by an outer sideWall
`formed on the container skirt to form a substantially vertical
`vent outlet to direct the vent approximately parallel to the
`longitudinal axis (that is, Z-axis) of the container assembly.
`Alternatively, the closure may lack the sideWall at the outer
`portion of the vent hole to increase effective cross sectional
`area of the ?oWpath.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`65
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of a container assembly
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2A is an enlarged top vieW of the container assembly
`of FIG. 1 as indicated by the lines 2A—2A;
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1011
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`US 6,202,871 B1
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`3
`FIG. 2B is an enlarged vieW of a portion of the FIG. 2A;
`FIG. 3A is a cross sectional vieW of a portion of the
`container assembly taken along lines 3A—3A in FIG. 2A;
`FIG. 3B is an enlarged vieW of a portion of the closure
`shoWn in FIG. 3A;
`FIG. 4A is a cross sectional vieW taken along lines
`4A—4A in FIG. 2A shoWing an embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 4B is a cross sectional vieW similar to that shoWn in
`FIG. 4A shoWing another embodiment of the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 5A is an enlarged cross sectional vieW of the
`container assembly of FIG. 1 in a fully closed position;
`FIG. 5B is an enlarged cross sectional vieW of the
`container assembly of FIG. 1 shoWing the closure in a
`vented position;
`FIG. 6A is an enlarged vieW of a corner portion of the
`container assembly of FIG. 5A;
`FIG. 6B is an enlarged vieW of a corner portion of the
`container assembly of FIG. 5B.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`Referring to FIG. 1, a container assembly 9 according to
`the present invention includes a closure 10 and a container
`11. The container assembly preferably contains a carbonated
`or pressuriZed liquid (not shoWn), such as a carbonated
`beverage.
`Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4A and 5A through 6B,
`closure 10 includes a skirt 12, a top member 14, a liner 24
`(shoWn only in FIGS. 5A through 6B), and a tamper evident
`band 36. Skirt 12 is preferably generally annular or cylin
`drical and depends doWnWardly from top member 14, Which
`preferably is substantially ?at or slightly croWned. Skirt 12
`has an upper portion 16a, to Which the top member is
`coupled, and a loWer portion 16b, to Which a tamper evident
`band is attached. As best shoWn in FIGS. 3A and 3B, an
`outer perimeter of top member 14 is preferably integrally
`joined to upper end portion 16a of skirt 12, and may be
`formed of a compression injected thermoplastic.
`Alternatively, skirt 12 and top member 14 may be non
`integrally formed, such as, for example, as described in US.
`Pat. No. 4,813,561, entitled, “Composite Retortable
`Closure,” Which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
`The portion of closure 10 at Which skirt 12 and top
`member 14 coincide (that is, Where skirt 12 and top member
`14 meet and Which may be considered as both a portion of
`skirt 12 and top member 14) is designed as transition 15, as
`best shoWn in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Preferably, skirt 12 and top
`member 14 are con?gured such that they are substantially
`perpendicular at the point at Which they are joined, as shoWn
`in the Figures. An outer surface of skirt 12 may include
`plural ribs 18 to enhance gripping by a user. Athread 20a (or
`plural threads) preferably is disposed on an inside surface of
`skirt 12.
`Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the substantially planar or
`slightly croWned inside surface 26a of top member 14
`preferably smoothly yields to a circular or cylindrical doWn
`turned ridge surface 26b. A circular or cylindrical inner
`surface 16c of skirt 12, Which generally are disposed Within
`upper portion 16a and above or interposed With threads 20a
`(described beloW), has a larger diameter than ridge surface
`26b, and smoothly yields to a overhanging edge 16d such
`that a ridge peak 28 is formed betWeen ridge surface 26b and
`overhanging edge 16d. Ridge peak 28 and ridge surface 26b
`
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`4
`are spaced apart from and concentrically inside of inner
`surface 16c of skirt 12. Ridge surface 26b, overhanging edge
`16d de?ne the inner and loWer boundaries of a ridge portion
`29, Which is shoWn in FIG. 6A. An outer boundary of the
`ridge portion 29 is formed by an inboard Wall of vent 22 (as
`described beloW) in the portion of closure 10 that includes
`the vents 22 (as described beloW), and by the outer perimeter
`of the skirt 12 in the portion of the closure that lacks the
`vents 22. Ridge peak 28, ridge surface 26b, overhanging
`edge 16d, and ridge portion 29 form a baffle 27.
`As shoWn in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B, liner 24 is a thin,
`disk-like member that is adhered to an inside of top member
`14, preferably by using an adhesive (not shoWn) therebe
`tWeen or by other conventional means. Liner 24 may be
`formed of a ?exible or pliable conventional plastic, such as
`EVA, such that liner 24 bends to adheres to the inside surface
`26a of top member 14 and conforms to the ridge surface 26b.
`Speci?cally, a perimeter of liner 24 may have a shape that
`conforms to the shape of ridge surface 26b such that liner 24
`has edge portions 30a that are doWn-turned. Substantially
`concentrical inside of or Within (that is, having a smaller
`diameter than) edge portions 30a, a liner compression por
`tion 30b is formed, as explained beloW.
`Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 4A, and 4B to illustrate an
`aspect of the present invention, plural vents 22 are formed
`through the body of closure 10 (that is, from a closure inside
`surface to a closure outside surface). Preferably, vents 22 are
`formed at transition 15 such that a portion of each of the top
`member 14 and the skirt 12 are removed to form vents 22.
`Thus, vents 22 are preferably formed at a perimeter of
`closure 10 and/or at the uppermost portion of skirt 12.
`The Figures shoW six rectangular vents 22
`circumferentially, equidistantly spaced around the perimeter.
`The present invention encompasses any number and con
`?guration of the vents, including, for example, circular vents
`and vents that are formed entirely Within top member 14 and
`that are formed entirely Within skirt 12. FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B,
`FIG. 3A, Which is taken through a section of closure 10
`lacking or spaced apart from vents 22, and FIG. 4A, Which
`is taken through a section of closure 10 having vents 22,
`illustrate that the outer perimeter of top member 14 includes
`both solid transition portions 15 and vents 22.
`Referring to FIG. 4A to illustrate an embodiment of vents
`22 according to an aspect of the present invention, upper
`portion 16a of skirt 12 includes an upWardly extending
`sideWall 32 that encloses at least a portion of each of the
`vents 22. SideWall 32 may have a thin Width such that it does
`not carry a signi?cant structural load (for example, during
`tWisting). Thus, each of the vents 22 is at least partly formed
`by an interior surface of sideWall 32, a outer portion ridge
`portion 29 (opposite sideWall 32), and opposing ends of
`transitions 15. SideWalls 32 extend upWard from a base of
`skirt 12 to provide skirt 12 With a substantially even circular
`or cylindrical outer perimeter even throughout much of the
`portion from Which vents 22 are formed. Thus, only an
`uppermost portion of each of the vents is visible from the
`outside of the closure.
`SideWalls 32 are con?gured such that an outlet 34 of each
`of the vents 22 is oriented substantially vertically. Thus, the
`vent outlet 34 is formed on an exterior of closure 10, and the
`vent inlet, Which is formed betWeen closure inner surface
`16c and overhanging edge 16d, is formed on an interior of
`closure 10. The interior surface of sideWall 32 (and corre
`sponding portions of the ridge portion 29 opposite sideWall
`32 and opposing ends of transitions 15) may form a rect
`angular passage having an axis that is substantially vertical
`(that is, parallel to the Z-axis).
`
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`US 6,202,871 B1
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`Referring to FIG. 4B to illustrate another embodiment of
`an aspect of the present invention, vents 22 may be formed
`Without sidewall 32 such that the outlet is non-vertical (that
`is, the vent forms a passage having a directional component
`in the x-y plane at its outlet). The vents as shoWn in FIG. 4B
`provide a larger cross sectional area than those of FIG. 4A,
`Which may provide increased ?oW that more quickly dissi
`pate high pressure Within container 11. Alternatively, vents
`22 arranged as shoWn in FIG. 4A direct outbound ?oW
`substantially directly upWard, Which enables pressure
`release from the inside of container 11 Without the pressur
`iZed gases impinging on a user’s hand if the user grips
`closure 10 only by ribs 18 Without overhanging top member
`14.
`Referring to FIGS. 1, 5A, and 5B, container 11 has a body
`that smoothly narroWs to form a neck 40. A thread 20b (or
`plural threads) is disposed on an outer surface of neck 40.
`Thread 20b matches thread 20a to enable cooperation
`betWeen closure 10 and container 11. Neck 40 forms a
`substantially circular rim 42 at an uppermost end thereof. A
`circular lug 44 protrudes circumferentially around the exte
`rior of neck 40 beloW thread 20b.
`Closure 10 may include a tamper evident band 36, Which
`is band or ring that circumferentially engages and frangibly
`connects to the open, loWer end of loWer portion 16b of skirt
`12. The inner surface of tamper evident band 36 contains a
`?ange 37, Which When placed on the container 11, hooks
`under lug 44 (best shoWn in FIGS. 5A and 5B) of container
`11. Tamper evident band 36 has sufficient resilience and
`elasticity so that ?ange 37 has a diameter slightly smaller
`than the diameter of lug 44, yet can be placed or formed over
`lug 44.
`The frangible connection, designated by reference
`numeral 38 in FIGS. 1 and 5A, can Withstand the outWard
`de?ection during application of closure 10 to the container
`11, but yields under tension upon removal. Thus, When
`closure 10 is removed from the package, the force required
`to pull ?ange 37 over lug 74 is greater than the force required
`to break frangible connection 38.
`FIGS. 5A and 6A illustrate the container assembly 9 in a
`fully closed position, in Which closure 10 is fully screWed or
`threaded onto neck 40 such that threads 20a are fully
`engaged With threads 20b. Rim 42 urges against a loWer side
`of liner compression surface 30b and a portion of top
`member inside surface 26a urges against an opposing side of
`liner compression surface 30b to compressibly urge liner 24
`therebetWeen. Rim 42 and the opposing portion of top
`member inside surface 26a, as Well as the portion of liner 24
`therebetWeen, form an interface area. Thus, the closure 10
`and rim 42 form an airtight top seal to isolate the contents
`Within container 11 from the atmosphere even under condi
`tions of high internal pressure.
`The circumferentially outer portion of rim 42 preferably
`urges against the edge portion 30a of liner 24 to compress
`ibly urge liner 24 against ridge surface 26b to enhance the
`seal betWeen closure 10 and container 11. Preferably, the
`vertical face of the top of neck 40 proximate rim 42 and
`ridge surface 26b compressively urge liner edge portion 30a
`therebetWeen. The con?guration in Which liner edge portion
`30a conforms to surfaces 26a and 26b, Which form a corner
`that has a substantially right angle cross section (that is,
`planar surface 26a and the tangent of ridge surface 26b at
`ridge peak 28 substantially form a right angle, as shoWn in
`FIG. 3B), is termed a corner seal, Which encompasses cross
`sectional angles other than right angles.
`To maintain container package integrity and provide
`tamper resistance, ridge peak 28 and overhanging edge 16d
`
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`6
`preferably extend beloW (that is, are disposed loWer than
`along the Z-axis) than rim 42 While container assembly 9 is
`in a fully closed position, as best shoWn in FIG. 6A.
`Therefore, until the closure is removed upon use, there is not
`a straight-line path from vents 22 and betWeen the closure 10
`and container rim 42. Speci?cally, ridge portion 29 forms the
`corner seal to interrupt a straight line that might otherWise be
`formed substantially in the x-y plane through vent 22 and
`liner 24, thereby preventing insertion of a sharp object, such
`as a hypodermic needle, through vent 22 to pierce the seal
`by penetrating through liner 24.
`Because penetrating liner 24 Without marring or gouging
`the surrounding plastic might be overlooked by a user’s
`casual examination, baf?e 27 prevents direct access through
`liner 24 to prevent easily piercing the seal. With ridge
`portion 29 of baf?e 27 blocking such direct access, an
`attempt to pierce the seal Would likely gouge the plastic
`material of closure 10 and/or container 11, Which Would
`indicate tampering.
`In embodiments of the closure that not employ a liner (not
`shoWn), the closure surfaces 30a and 30b directly contact
`rim 42. In such an embodiment, ridge portion 29 may still
`block or prevent straight line access to an interface area
`betWeen the closure and the rim via the vent 22, thereby
`promoting tamper resistance in a similar manner as
`described above.
`Referring to FIGS. 5A and 6A, liner edge portion 30a is
`exposed to the ambient atmosphere even While closure 10 is
`in the fully closed position. An oxygen barrier or oxygen
`scavenging material may be employed to prevent oxygen
`permeation into the interior of the container. For example,
`the EVA material of liner 24 or similar food grade plastic
`may be layered With an oxygen barrier or scavenging layer
`(not shoWn), as described in US. Pat. No. 5,021,515,
`entitled “Packaging,” and US. Pat. No. 5,639,815, entitled,
`“Packaging,” each of Which are incorporated in their
`entirety. Further, the composition of liner 24 should be
`chosen to resist moisture penetration.
`FIGS. 5B and 6B shoW container assembly 9 is a vented
`position, Which may refer to any position in Which at least
`a portion of top member surface 26a and/or liner 24 are
`spaced apart from container neck rim 42. As shoWn in FIG.
`5B, closure 10 is sufficiently unthreaded from container 11
`to rupture tamper evident band 36 at the frangible connec
`tion such that it separates from skirt 12. Thus, tamper
`evident band 36 remains on neck 40 of container 11 to
`indicate that the original seal has been broken. The phrase
`“vented position,” as used herein and in the appended
`claims, refers to the relative position of the sealing portions
`of closure 10 (for example, surfaces 26a, 26b and/or 30a,
`30b) to container 11 (for example, rim 42). Rupturing of the
`frangible connection is not a requirement for the container
`assembly to be in a vented position.
`Upon a small increment of unthreading of closure 10 from
`container 11, edge portion 30a and compression surface 30b
`of liner 24 form a gap or passage With rim 42. A ?oWpath P,
`shoWn in FIGS. 5B and 6B, illustrates the release of gases
`from container 11 to the atmosphere. The gases ?oW from
`container 9 through neck 40 (on average) along the Z-axis
`upon an initial formation of a space or passage betWeen
`closure 10 and container 11. The gases ?oW along path P
`through the space provided betWeen the upper surface of rim
`42 and liner compression surface 30b, around the corner
`portion of liner 24 proximate ridge peak 28, past and
`betWeen closure inner surface 16c and overhanging edge
`16d (this is, the vent inlet), and into vent 22.
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1011
`Page 8 of 9
`
`

`
`US 6,202,871 B1
`
`7
`In the embodiment of FIG. 5A (the closure of Which is
`shown in FIG. 4A), path P is directed vertically upward by
`sideWall 32 such that vent outlet 34 is oriented vertically. In
`the embodiment of FIG. 4B (that is, the embodiment lacking
`the sideWalls 32), a How path P‘ is shoWn. Path P‘ is identical
`to ?oWpath P up to the point at Which the gas enter vents 22.
`Path P‘ exits from vents 22 at an angle betWeen the Z-axis
`and the x-y plane (that is, at an oblique angle).
`The ?oWpath P or P‘ enables quick dissipation of the
`internal pressure of the gases Within container 11. Because
`the gases are not constrained to pass through the threads, the
`pressure dissipation through ?oWpath P of P‘ effectively
`reduces or eliminates tail end bloW off, even during optimal
`conditions for causing bloW off (for example, quickly tWist
`ing closure 10 under high temperature With the container
`approximately half full).
`The present invention has been described With respect to
`a particular embodiment. HoWever, the present invention is
`not limited to the particular embodiments described herein
`and includes numerous various that Will be apparent to
`persons familiar With closure technology in light of the
`present teachings. For example, the embodiment described
`herein includes a liner, although the present invention
`encompasses a container assembly that does not employ a
`liner. The top surface 26a is described herein as substantially
`planar and the skirt as cylindrical, although the invention
`encompasses any con?guration of the top surface and skirt.
`The closure is described as a thermoplastic, although the
`present invention may be employed With glass or aluminum
`closures, or closures of other materials. Other variations Will
`be apparent to persons familiar With closure and container
`technology (and the disciplines related to closure and con
`tainer technology) in light of the teachings of the above
`disclosure.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A closure for use With a container that houses pressur
`iZed products, the container having a neck including a ?rst
`thread formed thereon and a rim, the closure comprising:
`a top member and a circular skirt doWnWardly depending
`therefrom, the closure including a vent hole that has an
`inlet formed on an interior surface of the closure and an
`outlet formed on an exterior surface of the closure, the
`skirt having a second thread formed thereon that is in
`cooperation With the ?rst thread to enable the closure to
`move betWeen a fully closed position and a vented
`position, the closure and the container rim forming a
`seal therebetWeen in the fully closed position and
`enabling venting through the vent holes in the vented
`position, Whereby internal pressure of the container is
`released through the vent holes as the closure is
`unthreaded from the fully closed position; the closure
`further including a liner disposed on an interior surface
`of the top member, the vent holes formed substantially
`outside a perimeter of the liner, the interior surface of
`the top member and the upper rim contacting opposing
`sides of the liner to seal the container in the closed
`position, the upper rim being spaced apart from the
`liner in the vented position to enable communication
`betWeen the vent hole and an interior of the container
`in the vented position;
`the top member and the skirt forming a ridge peak on the
`inner surfaces thereof, the ridge peak conforming an
`edge of the liner to space the liner apart from the vent
`hole.
`2. The closure of claim 1 Wherein the closure includes a
`baffle depending doWnWardly from top member and dis
`posed betWeen the container neck and the vent hole to
`prevent tampering.
`3. The closure of claim 1 Wherein the baffle had a loWer
`edge that is disposed loWer than the container rim to prevent
`
`15
`
`25
`
`45
`
`65
`
`8
`straight line access to an interface area betWeen the closure
`and the container rim via the vent.
`4. The closure of claim 1 Wherein the ridge peak and the
`top member form a ridge surface therebetWeen, the ridge
`surface and the neck proximate the rim urge against oppos
`ing sides of the liner to form a corner seal.
`5. The closure of claim 1 Wherein the vent hole is formed
`proximate an outer edge of the top member.
`6. The closure of claim 5 Wherein the vent hole is formed
`at a transition area betWeen the top member and the skirt.
`7. The closure of claim 1 Wherein the closure further
`comprises a plurality of additional vent holes disposed in the
`top member.
`8. The closure of claim 7 Wherein each one of the vent
`holes are spaced equidistant apart around a perimeter of the
`top member.
`9. The closure of claim 1 Wherein the vent hole has a
`substantially vertical outlet.
`10. The closure of claim 9 Wherein the skirt includes a
`substantially vertical sideWall disposed on an outboard side
`of the vent hole.
`11. The closure of claim 10 Wherein the sideWall substan
`tially encloses a vertical portion of the vent hole.
`12. The closure of claim 11 Wherein the sideWall entirely
`encloses the vertical portion of the vent hole.
`13. A container assembly for pressuriZed products, com
`prising:
`a container having a neck; and
`a closure for use With a container that houses pressuriZed
`products, the container having a neck including a ?rst
`thread formed thereon and a rim, the closure compris
`mg:
`a top member and a circular skirt doWnWardly depend
`ing therefrom, the closure including a vent hole that
`has an inlet formed on an interior surface of the
`closure and an outlet formed on an exterior surface
`of the closure, the skirt having a second thread
`formed thereon that is in cooperation With the ?rst
`thread to enable the closure to move betWeen a fully
`closed position and a vented position, the closure and
`the container rim forming a seal therebetWeen in the
`fully closed position and enabling venting through
`the vent holes in the vented position, Whereby inter
`nal pressure of the container is released through the
`vent holes as the closure is unthreaded from the fully
`closed position; the closure further including a liner
`disposed on an interior surface of the top member,
`the vent holes formed substantially outside a perim
`eter of the liner, the interior surface of the top
`member and the upper rim contacting opposing sides
`of the liner to seal the container in the closed
`position, the upper rim being spaced apart from the
`liner in the vented position to enable communication
`betWeen the vent hole and an interior of the container
`in the vented position;
`the top member and the skirt forming a ridge peak on the
`inner surfaces thereof, the ridge peak conforming an
`edge of the liner to space the liner apart from the vent
`hole.
`14. The container assem